Top Of The PDL

June 7, 2012

*Editor’s note: A previous version of this story claimed that FC Tucson “separated itself further from its division rivals”. That was a mistake. FC Tucson regrets the error and in no way meant to mislead its fans or the public. The beginning of the story has been changed to reflect the accurate nature of FC Tucson’s climb to first.

Three goals is highest game total in franchise history

Thursday, June 7, 2012 — FC Tucson is back in first place in the Southwest Division, with a 3-0 win over the Ogden Outlaws. The game also featured a first in franchise history: it was the first time the team scored more than a goal.

“We scored that second goal and I didn’t know what to do,” joked FC Tucson head coach Rick Schantz. “The second goal, what it did for these kids, it got them to relax. I wish our home fans could have seen the aesthetically-pleasing soccer that the boys played after we scored the second goal.”

FC Tucson didn’t waste time scoring its first goal. In the 11th minute Max Alvarez sent a corner into the box toward a streaking James Cohn, who flipped the ball toward Phillipe Garre. All Garre had to do was tap it in.

“I saw James kind of backing up and then he left that near-post space open,” Alvarez said. “I understood what he was trying to do, so I sent it in near post and he flicked it up.”

In its previous five wins, one goal was enough as FC Tucson struggled to slam the door on opposing teams. But unlike in previous contests, the team notched a second goal before the end of the half.

In the 45th minute with Alvarez again behind a set ball, this time on the left side of the field for a free kick, he noticed an opening near the far post to his right. He sent a perfect ball into the area and a sliding a sliding Travis Campbell was there to complete the play and score.

FC Tucson added a final goal, a penalty kick converted by Max Alvarez in the 79th minute, to kill any chance Ogden had of coming back.

While the offense woke up, the defense and goalkeeping remained strong. FC Tucson has now shut out its last six opponents. Taking into account the last six minutes of FC Tucson’s first game of the season, the team has now held opponents scoreless for 546 minutes. The last time an opponent scored on FC Tucson was on May 5.

The win marks a very successful road trip for FC Tucson. In the team’s first extended time away from home, they went 2-0-0 against BYU and Ogden. Now FC Tucson comes back home for a match against the LA Misioneros on June 14, before heading on the road again, this time in Los Angeles, for showdowns with the Ventura County (June 16) Fusion and the Misioneros (June 18).

The win also gives FC Tucson 18 points in seven games. The 18 points is the most points in the country out of 73 teams. The next closest teams are the Portland Timbers U-23’s and Kitsap Pumas (15 points). Kitsap is the defending national champion.